Iain Duncan Smith has hit out at the “appalling demonisation” of Mitt Romney in the UK media and David Cameron embarks on a three-day tour of the Gulf and Middle East today

A Tory Cabinet minister has hit out at the “appalling demonisation” of Mitt Romney in the UK media.

Iain Duncan Smith praised his record as a governor and businessman, and complained that the Republican presidential candidate had been wrongly portrayed as “stupid”.

He also pointed out that under Barack Obama the US deficit had “gone from something like 4-500 billion dollars to three or so trillion dollars”, and suggested the superpower’s economy was stagnating.

Cameron embarks on Gulf tour

David Cameron embarks on a three-day tour of the Gulf and Middle East today in a bid to cement major UK arms sales and bolster relations with key allies in the region.

The Prime Minister will personally spearhead a push to persuade the United Arab Emirates to buy 60 of BAE’s Typhoon jets over French rivals in a deal reported to be worth upwards of £3 billion.

And tomorrow he will travel on to Saudi Arabia - Britain’s biggest trading partner in the region - which is also considering adding to its fleet of the aircraft.

New NHS constitution rules proposed

New commitments on end-of-life care and single-sex wards are set to be included in the NHS constitution, under proposals unveiled today.

Ministers said the wide-ranging package of reforms would empower patients and ensure their wishes come first.

Rules on involving individuals and families in treatment decisions are being strengthened following an outcry over secretive use of the Liverpool Care Pathway - which involves withdrawal of fluids and food.

Patient resuscitation case to start

A hearing into the circumstances surrounding a hospital’s resuscitation policy starts at the High Court today.

David Tracey alleges that two Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) orders were included in the notes of his late wife, Janet, without her knowledge or consent.

But Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust says that a doctor did seek her informed consent.

Clegg aims to cut childcare costs

Nick Clegg has promised a drive to cut “nightmare” childcare costs for parents who go back to work.

The Deputy Prime Minister said it was absurd that so many mothers felt unable to take on jobs because the “sums don’t add up”.

The comments - in an “informal” letter to Liberal Democrat activists - suggest the party will be lobbying the Chancellor to increase subsidies for nursery places in next month’s Autumn statement.

Dementia diagnosis trial planned

New medical technology that is said to slash the time it takes to diagnose dementia from 18 months to just three is to be tested in a Government-backed trial.

Scientists developing the cutting-edge process say it will double the current diagnosis rates if rolled out nationally, giving hundreds of thousands of sufferers better support and care.

The new digital diagnosis system, which will be piloted on 200 patients at two “brain health centres” in England early next year, combines computer-based tests of memory and thinking with computerised analysis of MRI brain scans.

Flood warnings amid heavy rainfall

Large parts of England and Wales remain on flood alert after torrential rain, snow and blizzards swept into the UK over the weekend.

Heavy deluges of rain caused flash flooding in some places, with Dorset, Devon, Somerset and Wiltshire the worst affected.

The wet weather, which fell on ground left sodden from the summer downpours, prompted the Environment Agency to issue of a number of flood warnings in England and Wales.

Paedophile to be sentenced

A paedophile is to be sentenced today after he abducted, tied up and sexually assaulted a 10-year-old boy.

Michael Jackson pleaded guilty to the offence, which sparked mass public protests in Oldbury, West Midlands.

During a hearing at Wolverhampton Crown Court in May, Jackson admitted charges of kidnap, sexual assault, false imprisonment and kidnap with intent to commit a sexual offence.

Tourists quizzed on soldier’s death

Three UK tourists are being held by police over the murder of a young British soldier who was stabbed to death in Cyprus.

The serviceman, named in reports as David Lee Collins, 19, was killed after a fight broke out at a nightclub in the popular resort of Ayia Napa.

Mr Collins, from the 2nd Battalion, Royal Regiment of Fusiliers, was said to be stationed at an Army base in the Dhekelia area of the island.